Bell Helmets......???

How good are they? discuss.....

DOT and SNELL good usually. That's my contribution.

A few years ago they were selling lids at Wal-Mart in clear blister pack. Sub-$100 stuff. Then they came out with some models that carried an MSRP of something like $500. Now they're doing stuff around $200 I think.

I can't figure out why anyone would buy one. Scorpion keeps getting my helmet money as they fit my head well in shape, the cost isn't bad, and they have great visors and color/pattern options.

I've had bell before. I prefer Shoei (because they're the only ones that fit my fat head) but the Bells weren't bad, and they're inexpensive. A rating is a rating, in the US. Really it's about comfort to a certain point.

I always liked them.

In reply to mndsm:

I thought Aria was supposed to be the round head shaped lid company, and Shoei was more narrow on the sides. Although there could be model to model differences...

N Sperlo wrote: DOT and SNELL good usually. That's my contribution.

Yep, this one is DOT and Snell 2010 rated.

I have never owned a Bell, but a few Fulmer/HJC's now(I liked the fulmer for autox, but it could suck a bag of dicks for motorcycle) My head size is also right on the cross roads between Medium and Large.

I have already ordered it, and it should be here within a day or two. IIRC, its a Vortex(chosen due to available transitions visor).....oh, and other reasons which shall be explained when it arrives.

This is my new helmet, a seven zero seven Vendetta 3. It fit my head perfectly and is monumentally lighter than the ancient HJC that it is going to replace. I really wanted the AGV K4 evo but it was not built for my head shape.

Bell has been around just about forever - they were one of the first 'modern' helmets back in the 1950s, and are still a good brand. I've had a few myself. However, like any helmet it depends on how well they fit your head.

Keep in mind, all bets are off, if the helmet doesn't fit. Different manufacturers make different shaped helmets for different shaped helmets.

My first helmet was a Scorpion EXO 700. It was comfortable. The ventilation was ok. Noise wasn't bad. Got replaced because I thought I wanted a modular/convertible bucket. And the vent tabs were breaking off.

My second helmet was a Scorpion EXO 900, the convertible modular one. It was comfortable in full mode, but noisy as hell. It was comfortable in ¾ mode, and a bit quieter. Ventilation sucked a big bag of dicks. Got replaced because I hated it.

My current helmet is the Bell RS-1. Comfort is amazing. It was super snug and tough to put on, when it was new, but now that it's been a few years, it's easy to pull on, yet still comfy-snug. Noise is well mitigated. Ventilation isn't bad, although I now ride behind a windshield. Glasses are tricky to put on, but stay put once they're on, without discomfort. I'll probably replace it with another one, when the time comes.

I love my Bell RS-1.

Last I was in the know (haven't sold helmets in five + years), the Bell auto helmet company had nothing to do with the Bell motorcycle helmet company, but you never know who might buy someone else these days. That is all I have.

I have two Bell helmets, one of which has crashed and it held up like a champ. My new helmet is a bell Vortex Damage. Best helmet for the money IMHO

Bell motorcycle helmets are made by Easton Hockey.

My Bell Vortex worked really well for 2 years. Shrugged off having a flying stone hit it at 120 MPH just fine. They have a LOT of ventilation. Anywhere colder than Texas and that's trouble.

In reply to chaparral:

Vortex claims to be controllable ventilation......and more is better. That HJC sucked a bag of dicks in the ventilation department.

I have a Bell Vortex (i think thats what it is) in black. Used it exclusively for two years. From early early spring till the salt gets put down on the road. Love it. Comfortable. Roomy and you can still wear sunglasses comfortably.

Downside? Im a big guy (6ft 3in) 185lbs and sometimes i feel like my head is enormous because of the helmet. Like a caricature looking head. Then again i have not found a "thin" helmet so maybe its only me.

I would buy one again in a heartbeat

I have an old crash helmet collection.

Not that I would ever wear an old helmet, but the foam padding in the Bells always rots faster compared to most any other old helmets I have?. I bought new closed cell foam to reline them. Kinda puzzling....

Most awesome Bells!!

Well, it finally showed up, and I am very pleased with it......might be kind of odd to ride a Kawasaki while wearing an AVG themed lid though.